The Case of Meteorology, 1876-1908
Introduction
Early Colonial Weather Reporting
The Impact of the Telegraph
Beginnings of Intercolonial Co-operation
The Intercolonial Meteorological Conferences
The Role of Clement Wragge
Towards a Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Endnotes
Index
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Reading between the lines, it would seem that Wragge's controversial practice of issuing forecasts to the press for all the Australian colonies from his self-styled 'Chief Weather Bureau' in Brisbane was a major factor behind Ellery's calling the 1888 meeting. In so far as Wragge's forecasts might differ from those issued locally, they were calculated, Ellery said, 'to bring the whole system of intercolonial telegraphic meteorology into disrepute'.[76] The others at the conference agreed and, on Forrest's motion, reaffirmed the principle
That no meteorological forecast or prediction made in one colony and having reference to any other colony shall be communicated by telegraph to any other person or destination than the meteorologist of the colony to which such prediction refers.
Wragge dissented from this resolution and reserved the right to issue forecasts from Brisbane directly to the press in the other colonies—forecasts that could be at odds, he acknowledged, with those issued locally.[77] Wragge argued that 'if he foresaw dangerous gales likely to occur on the coast of New South Wales, he should consider it his duty, in the interests of the public, to warn the shipping', whether or not the government meteorologist of the other colony thought there was going to be a storm.
During the conference the others agreed to furnish each other with forecasts for their own colonies as well as original data from their recording stations. Russell's annotations on his daily map in the Herald thus included, from early 1889, a two-line forecast from Ellery from Victoria.[78] A year later Todd's forecasts for South Australia, telegraphed from Adelaide, were appearing as well.[79] Wragge did not participate in this arrangement but maintained his independent stance, both in correspondence, private or public, with his fellow meteorologists, and by continuing to supply his forecasts for the other colonies which were telegraphed directly to their newspapers.[80]
Also on the agenda in 1888 was the operation of the weather telegram system. In New Zealand, Hector reported, telegrams 'were sent with great regularity', while Wragge declared his gratitude to the Queensland authorities for doing 'all they possibly could to further the despatch of telegrams'. The others were far from satisfied, with delays endemic in the system. The conference recorded that 'in order to make the meteorological system more perfect and of value to mariners', it was essential that weather telegrams be promptly despatched and given precedence wherever possible. It was agreed that each member of the conference would use his best efforts to press his message home to his government. There was also a long but fruitless discussion about how telegrams might be simplified and shortened. It was agreed, on Russell's motion, that 'the amount of information sent by telegraph should be reduced as far as possible by reducing the number of stations', but no decision was reached about which stations should be excluded. Russell also proposed that the detailed telegrams be replaced by an exchange of forecasts, but this was not well received. Instead, it was decided that forecasts by each colony for that colony should be added to the information being sent.
People in Bright Sparcs - Ellery, Robert Lewis John; Forrest, John; Russell, Henry Chamberlain; Todd, Charles; Wragge, Clement Lindley
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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